Best 23, Round 1 2024

[doggiesin08]

What’s becoming clear from these teams is the difference between our best 22 players and our best 22 team. The overall team on paper looks better if we’re prepared to jam Treloar, Harmes or Dale onto the wing.

I think the big selection debates will be on the round pegs in square holes. For the final position on a HFF do you pick McNeil or Macrae? If JOD is injured do you pick a spud KPD or go in undersized.

 

[adogsfan5]

? If JOD is injured do you pick a spud KPD or go in undersized.

Remember 2016 when we used to go one tall? I remember countless games where we went Adams/Wood/Morris as the keys. Jesus we were quick.

 

[DiamondDogs8]

Think there’s been a lot of revisionism on McNeil since his performance on Friday. Not sure many on this board would’ve given him a look in until then. Doesn’t leapfrog into the best 22 for mine, but could be wrong. Sub still seems more likely than anything. Let’s not forget he was delisted at the end of last season and not sure too many would’ve complained had he not been re-rookied.

Richards Jones Coffield/Buku
Johannisen JOD Dale
Williams Bont Poulter
Daniel Naughton Harmes
Lobb JUH Weightman
English Libba Treloar

Int: Sanders West Darcy Macrae
Sub: Gallagher/Baker/McNeil

Far more cohesive backline, light years ahead of the Keath/Bruce/Gardner disaster. Slightly concerned about the quality of our wing options, although I think Poulter will come good. Despite the questionable ball use and lack of ‘outside class’, his height and speed definitely provides a point of difference on a wing.
Would love to see Dale push up onto a wing for periods of games. Can also see Clarke forcing his way into the team before the seasons end, on paper he is exactly what our forward line is screaming out for.
I echo what most others have said regarding how we manage the four talls. Darcy bouncing around the ground just seems like a weapon we really should be taking advantage of, if not just to give him those much needed reps at senior level. The kid is an absolute freak and will be a superstar with a few more pre seasons and match experience.

 

[Mojorisin]

Think there’s been a lot of revisionism on McNeil since his performance on Friday. Not sure many on this board would’ve given him a look in until then. Doesn’t leapfrog into the best 22 for mine, but could be wrong. Sub still seems more likely than anything. Let’s not forget he was delisted at the end of last season and not sure too many would’ve complained had he not been re-rookied.

Richards Jones Coffield/Buku
Johannisen JOD Dale
Williams Bont Poulter
Daniel Naughton Harmes
Lobb JUH Weightman
English Libba Treloar

Int: Sanders West Darcy Macrae
Sub: Gallagher/Baker/McNeil

Far more cohesive backline, light years ahead of the Keath/Bruce/Gardner disaster. Slightly concerned about the quality of our wing options, although I think Poulter will come good. Despite the questionable ball use and lack of ‘outside class’, his height and speed definitely provides a point of difference on a wing.
Would love to see Dale push up onto a wing for periods of games. Can also see Clarke forcing his way into the team before the seasons end, on paper he is exactly what our forward line is screaming out for.
I echo what most others have said regarding how we manage the four talls. Darcy bouncing around the ground just seems like a weapon we really should be taking advantage of, if not just to give him those much needed reps at senior level. The kid is an absolute freak and will be a superstar with a few more pre seasons and match experience.

For me the second small forward spot was out of Arty, Scott, Mcneil and Clarke.
All 4 were relatively even coming in but mcneil edges past Scott after the last practice match. The next game with a full strength team against a full strength (injury depleted) Hawks will tell us a lot more.
Hopefully Clarke gets a game and produces a similar performance to his last game and he will be hot on the heels of a debut.

I think the other thing we forget with Mcneil is that he us still only 22 and up until this preseason hasn't trained specifically as a small forward.
He played as a wingman before being drafted and the has spent time training and playing on the wing, Half forward and forward pocket. I think everyone including clubs are finally catching on how specialist of a role a small forward is, it's a completely different game even compared to a half forward.

 

[cecil]

FB: Coffield, Jones, Khamis
HB: Dale, JOD, Richards
C: Williams, Libba, Poulter
HF: Daniel, Naughton, McNeil
FF: Weightman, JUH, Lobb
R: English, Bont, Treloar
Int: Macrae, JJ, Harmes, Sanders
Sub: West

 

[ringa5]

Who dares wins
Macrae has been injured. But still in first choice teams round 1.We didn't make the 8 last year. And we need to be picking in form players.Do we have enough speed in the centre ?Or too many one paced players. Libertore,Treloar and Bont need quick players around them.Different dynamics.Smith wasn't given the chance last year. For one reason or another. Sanders could be the one and Weightman another.Strength and tackling can be added also.So with Harmes that should improve .How do we fit Darcy in. For me
English,Naughton AND Darcy interchanges to CHB CHF. Defending on match ups. Naughton even centre square at times.
It's a team game and whatever is best for team.
A Jones should move to defence.Small quick players dominate us.Duryea can't keep up.And JJ ,Richard's and Dale are dashers.Not stoppers .

Team call taking into account JOD injury and no need to rush him.

B coffield Jones A Jones
Hb Richard's Darcy Dale
C Williams Treloar Poulter
HF Daniel Naughton Sanders
F Lobb JUH Weightman

Ruck English Bont Libertore

Inter West Clark Harmes JJ
Sub Macrae or MCNEIL

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Who dares wins
Macrae has been injured. But still in first choice teams round 1.We didn't make the 8 last year. And we need to be picking in form players.Do we have enough speed in the centre ?Or too many one paced players. Libertore,Treloar and Bont need quick players around them.Different dynamics.Smith wasn't given the chance last year. For one reason or another. Sanders could be the one and Weightman another.Strength and tackling can be added also.So with Harmes that should improve .How do we fit Darcy in. For me
English,Naughton AND Darcy interchanges to CHB CHF. Defending on match ups. Naughton even centre square at times.
It's a team game and whatever is best for team.
A Jones should move to defence.Small quick players dominate us.Duryea can't keep up.And JJ ,Richard's and Dale are dashers.Not stoppers .

Team call taking into account JOD injury and no need to rush him.

B coffield Jones A Jones
Hb Richard's Darcy Dale
C Williams Treloar Poulter
HF Daniel Naughton Sanders
F Lobb JUH Weightman

Ruck English Bont Libertore

Inter West Clark Harmes JJ
Sub Macrae or MCNEIL

I can't quite reconcile your belief that we need to pick "in form" players with your suggestion to play Arty Jones in the back pocket in round 1?

 

[dogwatch]

Arty doesn’t get a gig in defence - maybe not anywhere - until he can regularly stick tackles.

 

[ringa5]

I can't quite reconcile your belief that we need to pick "in form" players with your suggestion to play Arty Jones in the back pocket in round 1?

Who plays on Picket?
Red can l know.But robbing Peter to pay Paul.Maybe Arty can't stick tackles and is not ready.Is it worth trying something different?Maybe Gallagher ,Maybe JJ .Duryea will get the gig l know.leader and experienced .And seemed cooked last year..Pre season and time to try different things.

 

[Mojorisin]

Who plays on Picket?
Red can l know.But robbing Peter to pay Paul.Maybe Arty can't stick tackles and is not ready.Is it worth trying something different?Maybe Gallagher ,Maybe JJ .Duryea will get the gig l know.leader and experienced .And seemed cooked last year..Pre season and time to try different things.

JJ I think

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Who plays on Picket?
Red can l know.But robbing Peter to pay Paul.Maybe Arty can't stick tackles and is not ready.Is it worth trying something different?Maybe Gallagher ,Maybe JJ .Duryea will get the gig l know.leader and experienced .And seemed cooked last year..Pre season and time to try different things.

I hear you, it's a tough match up and I'm not against trying things. I just don't think Jones is the right option, especially when you're effectively leaving someone with as many runs on the board as Macrae out to manage it.

I think Red/JJ/Coffield likely split time on Pickett. None of them are ideal (though I think Richards is a pretty good shout), but realistically, this match up shouldn't be the difference, so I'm not sure it's a necessary risk.

Not against Jones spending some time down back at VFL level, though.

 

[Here we go dogs]

Arty doesn’t get a gig in defence - maybe not anywhere - until he can regularly stick tackles.

His off shoulder surgery. Doubt his gonna be able to stick his tackles this season without building up his upper body. Needs another off season in the gym.

 

[doggiesin08]

His off shoulder surgery. Doubt his gonna be able to stick his tackles this season without building up his upper body. Needs another off season in the gym.

He couldn’t stick them last year either. The benefit of his perceived pressure disappeared when opposition players realised he just bounced off them.

 

[doggiesin08]

I hear you, it's a tough match up and I'm not against trying things. I just don't think Jones is the right option, especially when you're effectively leaving someone with as many runs on the board as Macrae out to manage it.

I think Red/JJ/Coffield likely split time on Pickett. None of them are ideal (though I think Richards is a pretty good shout), but realistically, this match up shouldn't be the difference, so I'm not sure it's a necessary risk.

Not against Jones spending some time down back at VFL level, though.

Dale has done a good job on him in the past making him accountable the other way. I remember at the start of the JUH 5-goal game him and Dale started the CBs about 40m away from each other and it worked in Dale’s favour.

 

[_Cerberus_]

FB: Coffield, Jones, JJ
HB: Dale, O'Donnell, Richards
C: Harmes, Libba, Poulter
R: Bontempelli, English, Treloar
HF: Lobb, Naughton, Weightman
FF: O'Neil, Ugle-Hagan, West

INT: Macrae, Sanders, Daniel, Williams
SUB: Darcy/Gallagher

Going to be tough for spots this season. Especially for MID and Small FWD roles. Will be a few who will miss out that will make people unhappy over the course of the season. If Clarke and O'Neil continue their preseason form, West will likely find himself on the outer again. Could be a season where a decent name or two becomes the next Wallis as well. Enough up and coming talent to start pushing the fringe senior players, or those who have lost pace to run both ways.

Given the modern game is about pace and strong bodies. I'd love to see the likes of Gallagher, Sanders, Harmes push the likes of Daniel, Macrae etc, this season. The time for favorites and living in the past is over. The future is here and we will probably see some transition this season.

 

[maddog37]

He couldn’t stick them last year either. The benefit of his perceived pressure disappeared when opposition players realised he just bounced off them.

He played with shoulder problems last year. Hence the surgery. Hopefully he will be better as a result in time.

 

[PocketRocket08]

FB: Coffield, Jones, JJ
HB: Dale, O'Donnell, Richards
C: Harmes, Libba, Poulter
R: Bontempelli, English, Treloar
HF: Lobb, Naughton, Weightman
FF: O'Neil, Ugle-Hagan, Clarke

INT: Macrae, Sanders, Daniel, Williams
SUB: Darcy/Gallagher

Going to be tough for spots this season. Especially for MID and Small FWD roles. Will be a few who will miss out that will make people unhappy over the course of the season. If Clarke and O'Neil continue their preseason form, West will likely find himself on the outer again. Could be a season where a decent name or two becomes the next Wallis as well. Enough up and coming talent to start pushing the fringe senior players, or those who have lost pace to run both ways.

Given the modern game is about pace and strong bodies. I'd love to see the likes of Gallagher, Sanders, Harmes push the likes of Daniel, Macrae etc, this season. The time for favorites and living in the past is over. The future is here and we will probably see some transition this season.

Not sure Gallagher or Clarke are quite ready yet. I’m hopeful both with play 5-10 senior games this year but until they play consistently I can’t see them nailing a permanent spot this year.
Also think your being harsh on west he is our most physical small fwd. creates great pressure and gives great effort can tidy up his skill but for the moment he is our second best behind flea.
McNeil has probably jumped ahead of VDM at the moment though I’m still bullish on VDM great speed just need his body to hold up to give him continuity.
Overall I think we are only really lacking another key defender and in that regards Croft I believe is the next Darcy Moore. Mark my words.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Not sure Gallagher or Clarke are quite ready yet. I’m hopeful both with play 5-10 senior games this year but until they play consistently I can’t see them nailing a permanent spot this year.
Also think your being harsh on west he is our most physical small fwd. creates great pressure and gives great effort can tidy up his skill but for the moment he is our second best behind flea.
McNeil has probably jumped ahead of VDM at the moment though I’m still bullish on VDM great speed just need his body to hold up to give him continuity.
Overall I think we are only really lacking another key defender and in that regards Croft I believe is the next Darcy Moore. Mark my words.

Not doubting West being physical, I love that aspect of him.

His issue is consistency. Even his good games were on the back of a great quarter, and is quiet the other three quarters. When he got given a few senior game spell, he started off with a good couple of games, and faded. People were drumming on that he was harshly treated because they hung to much on those burst moments in the early games. If he can find a way to impact the game longer, he is 100% a shoe in for best 22. Right now I have him on the fringes, purely based on team depth. He is not pushing any of our current MIDS out of the team, we bat deep there.

Weightman is shoe in for one small forward role. Leaves O'Neil, Clarke, West, to battle it out for the other couple of spots. Though we will likely have a resting MID per usual, which I am not a fan of. Rest them on the bench instead, and keep natural forwards, forward. If there is one thing in Wests favor at the moment, it is that we seem to be getting a little more midfield time into other players, especially some of our forwards. He is one who can play both areas.

Will be interesting to see the line up for the official practice match this weekend. Will give a good indication to the likely round one team. Hoping players are rewarded for strong preseason form, and not what they did in 2022 or 2023.

 

[bigboysdontcry]

B: Khamis Jones Coffield

HB: Richards O’Donnell Dale

C: JJ Treloar Poulter

HF: Weightman Naughton West


FF: Lobb JUH Harmes


Followers: English, Bont, Libba


Inter: Sanders, Macrae, Daniel, Darcy

Sub: B.Williams

Emergency: McNeil

 

[TiAn_]

FB: Richards Jones Coffield
HB: Dale O'Donnell Johannisen
C: Williams Bontempelli Poulter
HF: Weightman Naughton Harmes
FF: McNeil Ugle-Hagan Lobb
FOL: English Liberatore Treloar
INT: Sanders Daniel Macrae West
Sub: Baker

Stiff: Darcy, Khamis & Clarke

Update:

FB: Richards Jones Coffield
HB: Dale O'Donnell Johannisen
C: Williams Bontempelli Poulter Bramble
HF: Weightman Naughton West
FF: McNeil Ugle-Hagan Lobb
FOL: English Liberatore Treloar
Bench: Sanders Daniel Khamis Macrae Harmes
Sub: Baker Vandermeer

Stiff: Darcy & Daniel

I’m 50/50 on this, and think it’s equally likely O’Donnell comes back in for Khamis, but there’s some real food for thought there. I’m taking Bev’s comment about being unable to cover in game losses last year as working in favour of Khamis taking a bench spot as an extra “tall” option, with a runner as the sub.

Based on our mix so far this pre-season, I think there’s an even clear emphasis on speed and defensive pressure/work rate that might be see Daniel and Macrae under the pump this year, in favour of lesser lights with different attributes.

Vandermeer isn’t in my personal best 23 but this is my prediction for the actual lineup.

 

[Bald]

How certain are we that JJ plays round 1?

Not suggesting he shouldn't but there is going to need to be a few tough calls, and he wasn't great against the Hawks.

 

[Foxman98]

How certain are we that JJ plays round 1?

Not suggesting he shouldn't but there is going to need to be a few tough calls, and he wasn't great against the Hawks.

Was the worst of the backline tonight for me

 

[Bald]

Was the worst of the backline tonight for me

I didn't want to say it haha.

 

[adogsfan5]

How certain are we that JJ plays round 1?

Not suggesting he shouldn't but there is going to need to be a few tough calls, and he wasn't great against the Hawks.

Has to be in. Run and carry and speed.

 

[adogsfan5]

B: Bramble Jones Khamis
HB: Dale JOD Richards
C: Macrae Bontempelli Williams
HF: West Naughton McNeil
F: Lobb Ugle-Hagan Weightman
R: English Liberatore Sanders
Int: Treloar Daniel JJ Harmes
Emg: Gallagher Darcy Coffield

Bloody tough this year!